Issued  June  23, 1910. 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


FARMERS’  BULLETIN  402. 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS: 

ITS  CULTURE  AND  USES. 


BY 

IN.  A.  OAKLEY, 

Assistant  Agrostologist ,  Forage-Crop  Investigations , 
Bureau  of  Plant  Industry. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 

1910. 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Bureau  of  Plant  Industry, 

Office  of  tiie  Chief, 
Washington ,  D.  C.,  April  15,  1910. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  and  to  recommend  for 
publication  as  a  Farmers’  Bulletin  a  paper  entitled  “Canada  Blue- 
grass:  Its  Culture  and  Uses,”  prepared  by  Mr.  R.  A.  Oakley,  Assistant 
Agrostologist  in  the  Office  of  Forage-Crop  Investigations  of  this 
Bureau,  under  the  direction  of  the  agrostologist  in  charge. 

The  increasing  realization  of  the  agricultural  value  of  Canada  blue- 
grass  has  resulted  in  a  demand  for  information  regarding  its  habits, 
uses,  and  culture.  This  paper  is  intended  to  contain  an  agronomic 
discussion  of  this  grass,  embodying  a  description  of  the  method's  of 
culture  and  utilization  now  followed,  and  also  some  suggestions  result¬ 
ing  from  experiments  conducted  by  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry. 
It  is  not  the  intention  to  justify  in  any  way  the  practice  of  using 
Canada  bluegrass  as  an  adulterant  of  Kentucky  bluegrass,  since  there 
are  no  grounds  upon  which  such  practice  can  be  excused. 
Respectfully, 

B.  T.  Galloway, 

Ch  ief  of  Bureau. 

lion.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 


CONTENTS. 


Tage. 

Introduction .  5 

Description  of  Canada  bluegrass .  5 

Uses  and  value  of  Canada  bluegrass .  8 

Pasture .  8 

Hay .  10 

Miscellaneous  uses .  II 

Use  as  a  soil  binder .  11 

Use  for  lawns  and  golf  links .  11 

Use  on  scab  lands .  12 

Commercial  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass .  12 

Harvesting  the  seed .  13 

Thrashing  the  seed .  15 

Cleaning  the  seed .  15 

Hay  of  Canada  bluegrass  from  which  seed  has  been  thrashed .  1G 

Management  of  Canada  bluegrass  in  the  cropping  system .  17 

Seeding .  17 

Breaking  up  old  sod . ' .  18 

Summary . 1G 

402 


3 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


rage. 


Fig.  1.  A  panicle  of  Canada  bluegrass  ( Poci  compressa  L.) .  6 

2.  A  typical  panicle  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  ( Poa  pratensis  L.) .  7 

3.  Pastures  of  Canada  bluegrass .  9 

4.  A  field  of  wheat  stubble,  showing  a  heavy  growth  of  volunteer  Canada 

bluegrass .  10 

5.  A  field  showing  a  heavy  volunteer  growth  of  Canada  bluegrass  one  year 

after  a  crop  of  wheat  had  been  harvested .  14 

6.  A  field  showing  the  sod  of  Canada  bluegrass  broken  in  such  a  manner 

as  to  allow  this  grass  to  become  troublesome  in  the  crop  which  is  to 
follow .  17 

7.  A  held  of  alfalfa,  showing  how  the  crop  is  crowded  out  by  Canada  blue¬ 

grass .  18 

402 

4 


B.  P.I.— 574. 


CANADA 


INTRODUCTION. 

For  several  years  Canada  bluegrass  has  received  considerable 
attention  and  has  been  the  subject  of  more  or  less  adverse  comment 
from  agriculturists  in  general.  This  has  been  due  largely  to  the  fact 
that  the  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass  lias  been  used  extensivelv  as  an 
adulterant  of  Kentucky  bluegrass,  in  which  role  it  is  very  undesirable. 
The  malpractice  in  connection  with  its  use  as  an  adulterant  of  Ken¬ 
tucky  bluegrass  seed  is  doubtless  responsible  for  the  widespread 
unfavorable  reputation  which  the  grass  now  holds.  This  reputation 
has  obtained  to  such  an  extent  that  the  good  qualities  of  the  grass 
have  been  largely  overlooked.  When  an  example  of  a  flagrant  case 
of  seed  adulteration  is  called  for,  Canada  bluegrass  is  always  cited, 
and  it  has  become  so  generally  known  in  this  connection  that  its 
name  is  considered  by  many  as  almost  synonymous  with  “weed”  and 
“pest.” 

That  the  grass  has  undesirable  features  must  be  admitted;  never¬ 
theless  it  is  of  more  economic  value  in  this  country  at  the  present 
time  than  many  of  our  other  cultivated  grasses  about  which  much 
has  been  said  and  written.  It  is  the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  discuss 
Canada  bluegrass  from  an  agronomic  standpoint,  dealing  primarily 
with  its  utilization  and  value  as  a  forage  grass. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 

Canada  bluegrass  ( Poa  compressa  L.  )  is  sometimes  called  A  irginia 
bluegrass,  wire-grass,  and  various  other  names,  depending  largely 
on  the  section  in  which  it  is  grown.  In  localities  where  it  is  very 
common  it  is  known  simply  as  bluegrass.  It  differs  in  general  from 
Kentucky  bluegrass  (Poa  pratensis  L.)  in  shape  of  stem,  shape  and 
color  of  leaves,  and  character  of  seed  head,  or  panicle, 
or  culms  are  flattened  or  compressed  and  bear  few  leaves.  1  hov  aie 
more  nearly  solid  than  those  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  and  constitute 
a  characteristic  by  which  the  grass  is  readily  distinguished. 

402 


6 


CANADA  BLUEGKASS. 


leaves  are  a  dark  bluish-green  color,  sometimes  quite  glaucous,  and 
are  shorter  than  those  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  and  more  scantily 
produced.  The  seed  head,  or  panicle,  is  also  a  reliable  distinguishing 
character,  being  quite  compact  and  usually  shorter  than  that  of 

Kentucky  bluegrass.  (See  figs. 

1  and  2.) 

Canada  bluegrass  is  a  very 
hardy  perennial  grass  and  pro¬ 
duces  an  abundance  of  running 
rootstocks,  which  make  it  decid¬ 
edly  aggressive  and  enable  it  to 
form  a  dense,  tough  sod. 

Although  widely  distributed 
throughout  this  country  and 
found  growing  largely  without 
cultivation,  Canada  bluegrass  is 
considered  by  many  botanists  to 
have  been  introduced  from 
Europe.  If  this  be  true  it  was 
undoubtedly  introduced  at  an 
early  date,  probably  not  long 
after  the  first  settlements. 
Micheaux  collected  it  in  the 
province  of  Quebec  about  1792, 
also  in  other  parts  of  Canada, 
and  in  Pennsylvania.  Richard- 
son,  while  accompanying  the 
Franklin  expedition  in  1823, 
found  it  along  the  upper  Sas¬ 
katchewan  in  northwestern  Can¬ 
ada;  in  fact  it  was  found  at  an 
early  date  widely  distributed  in 
isolated  locations  unfrequented 
by  the  white  man,  which  would 
indicate  that  it  may  be  a  native 
species.  If  it  is  not,  its  dissem¬ 
ination  after  introduction  was  a 
remarkably  rapid  one. 

At  present  Canada  bluegrass 
is  nearly  as  widely  distributed  as 
Kentucky  bluegrass,  although 
not  so  plentiful  or  important.  It  is  found  in  the  greatest  abundance 
in  southern  Ontario,  Canada,  and  is  also  very  common  in  New  York, 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  New  England  States.  In  certain  sections  of 
Virginia,  West  Virginia,  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Missouri,  and  in  fact  in 


Fig.  1.— Apanicleof  Canada  bluegrass  (Poacompresa 
L.).  This  seed  head  is  longer  than  the  average, 
hut  is  typical  in  other  respects. 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


many  other  States,  it  is  also  quite  plentiful.  In  the  Pacific  North¬ 
west  it  seems  to  be  spreading  rapidly.  Its  use  as  an  adulterant  of 
Kentucky  bluegrass  seed  is  doubtless  responsible  to  some  extent  for 
its  wide  distribution,  but  it  seems  unlikely  that  it  could  have  become 
distributed  by  this 
means  to  as  great  an 
extent  as  is  generally 
believed. 

Soils  containing  con¬ 
siderable  quantities  of 
clay  are  the  type  of  soil 
upon  which  Canada 
bluegrass  is  most  com- 
monlv  found.  On  stiff 
clay  soils  of  low  fertility 
it  seems  to  thrive  to 
a  greater  degree  than 
any  other  grass.  On 
the  better  classes  of 
soils  other  grasses  are 
usually  more  than  able 
to  hold  their  own 
against  it.  On  gravelly 
clay  soils  it  does  well, 
but  on  sandy  soils  it  is 
seldom  found  in  abun¬ 
dance.  It  is  interest¬ 
ing  to  note  its  behavior 
in  sections  favorable  to 
the  growth  of  Ken¬ 
tucky  bluegrass.  For 
example,  in  parts  of 
Kentucky  it  is  found 
in  pure  stands  on  the 
sides  of  cuts  and  other 
places  where  the  soil  is 
thin  or  the  subsoil  ex¬ 
posed,  while  the  Ken-  r  ,  ,,  T  ^ 

1  1  .  Fig  2. — A  typical  panicle  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  (/ oa  pratcnsu 

tucky  bluegrass  grows 

in  pure  stands  on  the  good  soil  immediately  adjacent.  In  giiuia 
the  two  grasses  are  not  found  intermingled  in^  the  ><>d,  hut  <u( 
in  areas  by  themselves,  although  frequently  the  aic.i^  °i  ( d  1,1 
may  be  very  small.  The  type  of  soil  upon  which.  (  anada  h  uegra 
reaches  its  greatest  perfection  in  southern  Cntaiio  end 


8 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


Y ork  is  a  clay  soil  classified  by  the  Bureau  of  Soils  of  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture  as  Dunkirk  clay,  or  Dunkirk  clay  loam. 
This  series  of  soils  has  been  formed  by  the  working  over  of  glacial 
material  derived  probably  from  sandstone  and  clay. 

An  equable  climate  is  not  an  essential  factor  to  the  growth  of 
Canada  bluegrass.  It  will  withstand  the  low  temperatures  of  the 
northern  portion  of  the  United  States  without  injury.  It  is  essen¬ 
tially  a  plant  of  the  North  Temperate  Zone,  extending  far  north  in 
Siberia  and  Canada.  Although  apparently  better  able  to  withstand 
heat  than  Kentucky  bluegrass,  it  is  not  found  to  any  great  extent  in 
the  Southern  States.  It  is  also  more  drought  resistant  than  Ken¬ 
tucky  bluegrass,  but  like  the  latter  is  practically  dormant  during  the 
dry  periods,  coming  on  again  with  unimpaired  vigor  with  the  advent 
of  rains.  Its  ability  to  thrive  under  adverse  conditions  makes  it  a 
valuable  grass. 


USES  AND  VALUE  OF  CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 

Regardless  of  the  fact  that  Canada  bluegrass  is  looked  upon  with 
disfavor  in  many  localities,  it  is  nevertheless  very  important.  Like 
some  other  grasses  of  this  country  its  value  is  belittled  by  the  farmer 
because  of  its  aggressiveness,  which  makes  it  a  source  of  more  or  less 
constant  trouble  in  some  sections.  This  is  generally  true  throughout 
the  sections  in  which  it  is  common. 

It  is  perhaps  unfortunate  for  Canada  bluegrass  that  it  should  always 
be  considered  in  comparison  with  Kentucky  bluegrass,  which  is, 
broadly  speaking,  the  best  of  the  cultivated  pasture  grasses  in  this 
country.  Such  comparison  has  had  a  tendency  to  cause  its  real 
importance  to  be  overlooked.  It  is  true  that  the  farming  sections  in 
the  Kentucky  bluegrass  region  are  usually  much  more  prosperous 
than  the  farming  sections  in  which  Canada  bluegrass  predominates, 
but  nevertheless  it  is  pretty  generally  true  that  where  Canada  blue¬ 
grass  flourishes  it  is  of  more  value  agronomically  than  Kentucky  blue¬ 
grass  or  than  any  other  pasture  grass  would  be  on  the  same  soil.  In 
other  words,  Canada  bluegrass  can  not  compete  with  Kentucky 
bluegrass  on  good  limestone  soils,  but  on  poor  clay  soils  it  is  the  more 
valuable  of  the  two.  Notwithstanding  the  prejudice  against  it,  the 
practice  of  seeding  it  in  some  localities,  notably  in  Ontario,  is  slowly 
but  gradually  increasing,  which  is  an  indication  that  its  value  is 
beginning  to  be  more  fully  appreciated. 


PASTURE. 

Like  Kentucky  bluegrass,  Canada  bluegrass  is  primarily  a  pasture 
grass  and  is  quite  palatable  to  all  kinds  of  live  stock,  perhaps  slightly 
less  so  than  Kentucky  bluegrass,  but  equal  to  the  average  pasture 

402 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


9 


grass,  especially  if  not  allowed  to  become  too  mature.  The  high 
nutritive  value  of  the  grass  offsets  to  a  certain  extent,  at  least  its 
comparatively  low  yield  and  makes  it  especially  desirable  for  finish¬ 
ing  beef  cattle  for  market.  In  this  connection  the  practice  followed 
in  western  New  York  may  be  noted.  It  is  a  common  practice  upon 
farms  having  both  Kentucky  bluegrass  and  Canada  bluegrass  to 
graze  the  cattle  that  are  to  be  exported  in  the  fall  on  Kentucky 
bluegrass  pasture  during  the  forepart  of  the  season,  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  season  to  run  them  on  pastures  composed  mostly  of 
Canada  bluegrass.  The  cattle  of  course  are  not  kept  off  the  Canada 
bluegrass  pastures  entirely  during  the  early  part  of  the  season,  as 
this  would  permit  the  grass  to  make  a  heavy  growth  unsuited  for 
later  grazing.  However,  the  Canada  bluegrass  pastures  are  reserved 


Fig.  3. — Pastures  of  Canada  bluegrass.  Live  stock  may  be  seen  grazing  on  the  closely  pastured  grass  in 
preference  to  the  grass  that  has  been  allowed  to  make  a  heavy  growth. 

for  their  heaviest  grazing  until  the  latter  part  of  the  season  on  ac¬ 
count  of  their  recognized  value  for  finishing  beef  cattle  for  export . 

When  given  their  choice,  live  stock  will  graze  on  the  closely  pas¬ 
tured  grass  in  preference  to  the  grass  that  has  been  allowed  to  make 
a  heavy  growth.  (See  fig.  3.)  Canada  bluegrass  can  apparent  1) 
be  grazed  more  closely  than  other  grasses  with  less  ultimate  damage , 
on  account  of  its  ability  to  recover  and  keep  out  weeds. 

In  certain  sections,  especially  southern  Ontario,  'wheat  fields  af(<i 
harvest  contain  such  a  quantity  of  Canada  bluegrass  that  m  many 
cases  they  afford  excellent  grazing,  as  the  grass  which  volunteers  m 
the  stubble  is  very  palatable.  (See  fig.  4.)  Id  midsumnu  1  ; 
tures  often  get  so  dry  that  they  may  be  burned  very  readily , 
fire  does  not  seem  to  injure  them  except  for  the  time  being. 

40703— Bui.  402—10 - 2 


10 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


favorable  weather  returns,  the  grass  grows  again  as  vigorously  as 
ever. 

HAY. 

There  are  comparatively  few  sections  where  Canada  bluegrass  is 
cut  for  hay,  so  that  it  can  hardly  bo  considered  a  hay  grass.  Under 
very  favorable  conditions  yields  of  a  ton  to  a  ton  and  a  half  per 
acre  are  secured,  but  these  are  exceptions,  the  average  being  prob¬ 
ably  not  more  than  one-lialf  ton.  It  is  on  account  of  its  low  yield 
that  it  is  not  utilized  as  a  hay  grass,  for  it  makes  a  very  palatable  hay 
and  is  above  the  average  in  feeding  value.  There  is  no  definite 
market  for  the  hay,  but  it  has  a  ready  local  sale,  and  at  points  where 
it  is  well  known  it  sells  for  nearly  as  high  a  price  as  timothy. 


Fig.  4. — A  field  of  wheat  stubble,  showing  a  heavy  growth  of  volunteer  Canada  bluegrass. 

At  Fort  Erie,  Ontario,  where  a  large  number  of  race  horses  are 
stabled,  Canada  bluegrass  is  much  in  demand  and  is  considered  by 
the  horsemen  there  to  be  quite  valuable.  Liverymen,  however, 
usually  prefer  timothy,  since  it  is  a  bulkier  hay  and  can  be  used  more 
economically  in  feeding  to  transient  and  boarding  horses,  and  also 
because  it  can  be  fed  without  danger  of  serious  results.  Some  care 
must  be  used  in  feeding  Canada  bluegrass  hay,  as  it  has  a  slight 
tendency  to  produce  colic  in  horses  if  fed  in  large  quantities. 

If  desired  for  hay,  the  grass  should  be  cut  a  little  before  it  has 
reached  what  is  known  as  the  “ golden”  stage.  This  is  the  stage  at 
which  it  is  cut  for  seed,  but  since  it  makes  a  very  good  hay  when  cut 
in  the  golden  stage  it  is  often  left  until  then  so  that  it  may  be  thrashed 
if  seed  is  desired. 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


11 


When  timothy,  alsike  clover,  and  Canada  bluegrass  are  grown 
together,  as  is  commonly  the  case,  the  combination  makes  a  hay  of 
excellent  quality. 

MISCELLANEOUS  USES. 


Use  as  a  soil  binder. — As  a  soil-binding  grass  on  cuts  and  fills  along 
railroads  and  in  similar  situations,  Canada  bluegrass  can  be  used  in 
many  sections  with  good  results.  In  such  situations  the  soil  is  usually 
too  poor  to  support  a  satisfactory  growth  of  other  grasses.  The 
aggressiveness  of  the  grass  and  its  tough  sod-forming  habit  make  it 
of  great  value  in  preventing  erosion. 

Use  for  lawns  and  golf  links. — Where  Kentucky  bluegrass  can  be 
grown  with  a  reasonable  degree  of  success  Canada  bluegrass  can  not 
be  recommended  as  a  lawn  grass.  The  two  grasses  do  not  blend  well, 
as  in  general  they  grow  in  patches  by  themselves,  and  because  of  the 
distinctly  different  color  they  make  the  lawn  somewhat  unsightly  in 
this  respect  at  least.  They  can,  however,  be  used  to  advantage  in 
combination  in  some  cases,  as,  for  example,  on  poor  clay  and  gravel 
soils  which  become  at  times  extremely  dry.  When  used  for  either 
lawns  or  golf  links  Canada  bluegrass  should  be  kept  very  closely 
clipped,  as  otherwise  it  gets  very  wiry  and  makes  a  turf  of  poor  tex¬ 
ture.  Unfortunately,  when  kept  closely  clipped  it  presents  what 
might  be  called  a  dirty  appearance,  lacking  that  rich  green  color  which 
makes  Kentucky  bluegrass  so  valuable. 

It  is  hardly  possible  to  make  definite  recommendations  regarding 
the  proportion  of  Canada  bluegrass  seed  to  be  used  in  mixtures  with 
other  lawn  grasses.  Unless  the  soil  is  very  poorly  adapted  to  Ken¬ 
tucky  bluegrass  a  mixture  containing  more  than  10  per  cent  of  Canada 


bluegrass  seed  is  not  advised. 

Due  to  its  superior  resistance  to  drought  and  extended  periods  of 
hot  weather,  Canada  bluegrass  can  doubtless  be  used  farther  south 
than  Kentucky  bluegrass.  An  agriculturist  who  has  made  a  careful 
study  of  conditions  in  the  Southern  States  for  many  years  writes: 


Canada  bluegrass  has  been  noted  somewhat  abundantly  in  pastures  and  lawns  in 
Alabama  and  Mississippi,  probably  having  been  introduced  as  an  impurity  in  the  seed 
of  Kentucky  bluegrass.  Wherever  observed  in  that  region  it  has  been  superior  to 
Kentucky  bluegrass  on  account  of -its  better  resistance  to  the  effects  of  drought  and 
long-continued  hot  weather.  There  have  been  no  attempts  to  grow  this  gras;- 
itself,  but  the  occasional  patches  and  single  plants  which  have  been  observed  lmld 
their  own  so  well  on  dry  clay  soils  that  it  appears  well  worth  an  extended  test  under 
such  conditions. 


These  statements  should  in  nowise  be  construed 
practice  of  using  Canada  bluegrass  as  an  adulterant 
bluegrass  for  lawn  purposes  or  for  any  other  purpose. 


to  justify  the 
of  Kentucky 
As  is  pointed 


402 


12 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


out,  a  combination  of  these  grasses  is  advantageous  only  in  a  very 
few  cases.  When  the  purchaser  really  desires  a  mixture  he  should 
know  definitely  the  proportions  of  each  species  in  order  that  he  may 
use  them  intelligently. 

Use  on  scab  lands. — In  the  northwestern  portion  of  this  country, 
especially  in  the  States  of  Washington,  Oregon,  and  Idaho,  there  are 
large  areas  of  thin  land  where  the  underlying  basalt  frequently  out¬ 
crops.  These  areas  are  called  scab  lands.  The  basalt  is  in  many 
places  entirely  exposed  or  covered  only  with  a  very  thin  layer  of  soil. 
During  the  past  few  years  Canada  bluegrass  has  been  tested  on  these 
lands  and  has  proved  quite  promising.  It  seems  more  nearly  adapted 
to  the  unfavorable  conditions  which  exist  in  such  sections  than  any 
of  our  other  cultivated  grasses.  Its  spreading,  in  some  cases  unas¬ 
sisted,  is  evidence  of  its  adaptability.  It  is  not  believed  that  Canada 
bluegrass  will  make  a  heavy  growth  on  these  scab  lands,  but  it  is 
believed  that  in  many  sections  it  will  prove  profitable,  inasmuch  as 
it  will  at  least  furnish  more  and  better  grazing  than  the  native 
vegetation. 

COMMERCIAL  SEED  OF  CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 

In  its  natural  condition  the  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass  is  readily  dis¬ 
tinguished  from  that  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  by  the  absence  of  the 
web  of  hairs  at  the  base  of  the  flowering  glume,  as  well  as  by  several 
less  distinct  characters.  The  color  and  shape  of  the  seed  differ  in  the 
two  species,  the  color  of  the  Canada  bluegrass  seed  being  usually  a 
lighter  shade  of  brown  than  that  of  Kentucky  bluegrass,  and  the  apex 
of  the  seed  of  the  former  having  a  tendency  to  be  obtuse,  while  that 
of  the  latter  is  quite  acute. 

To  distinguish  between  the  commercial  seeds  of  the  two  species  is, 
however,  quite  a  difficult  matter.  The  thrashing  and  rubbing  inci¬ 
dent  to  the  preparation  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  seed  for  the  market 
removes  the  webby  hairs  and  breaks  the  tips  of  the  seeds  in  such  a 
manner  that  they  resemble  those  of  Canada  bluegrass  very  closely. 
The  resemblance  is  so  close  that  only  those  accustomed  to  handling 
both  species  can  distinguish  between  them  without  making  a  critical 
examination.  This  has  made  the  practice  of  using  seed  of  Canada 
bluegrass  as  an  adulterant  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  a  comparatively 
easy  matter. 

The  viability  of  commercial  Canada  bluegrass  seed  is  much  higher 
than  that  of  Kentucky  bluegrass  seed.  This  fact  is  largely  due  to  the 
methods  used  in  harvesting  and  curing,  descriptions  of  which  will  be 
given  later.  The  average  germination  of  Canada  bluegrass  seed  is 
about  85  per  cent  and  is  reasonably  constant,  while  the  average  of 
Kentucky  bluegrass  is  only  about  45  per  cent  and  is  so  unreliable  in 

402 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


13 


this  respect  that  it  is  extremely  unadvisable  to  buy  or  sow  the  seed 
without  first  testing  its  vitality  thoroughly. 

The  difference  in  the  methods  of  harvesting  the  two  species  of 
bluegrass  is  also  responsible  for  the  difference  in  price.  While  the 
difference  in  price  varies  considerably  from  year  to  year,  depending 
on  the  supply  and  certain  conditions  of  trade,  Kentucky  bluegrass 
seed  usually  sells  for  about  5  to  7  cents  a  pound  more  than  Canada 
bluegrass  seed. 

Practically  all  of  the  Canada  bluegrass  seed  used  in  this  country 
is  grown  in  the  province  of  Ontario,  Canada.  The  average  importa¬ 
tions  for  the  years  1907,  1908,  and  1909  have  been  approximately 
050,000  pounds  annually.  While  the  seed  is  advertised  in  the  trade 
as  such,  it  may  be  stated  with  certainty  that  not  more  than  15  per 
cent  of  the  quantity  imported  is  sold  to  the  ultimate  consumer  as 
Canada  bluegrass,  the  remainder  being  used  in  varying  proportions 
to  adulterate  Kentucky  bluegrass  seed.  The  increasing  interest  in 
pure  seed  is  doubtless  now  having  much  to  do  in  decreasing  this 
harmful  practice. 

Attempts  have  been  made  by  certain  seedsmen  to  explain  the 
presence  of  Canada  bluegrass  seed  in  commercial  seed  of  Kentucky 
bluegrass  on  the  ground  that  the  former  occurs  commonly  in  fields 
of  the  latter;  consequently  the  two  are  harvested  together.  It  is 
true  that  some  Canada  bluegrass  is  found  in  the  fields  of  Kentucky 
bluegrass  harvested  for  seed,  but  since  the  former  matures  so  much 
later  than  the  latter  there  is  no  chance  of  mature  seed  of  it  becoming 
mixed  with  Kentucky  bluegrass  seed  in  this  manner.  A  small 
amount  of  chaff  from  very  immature  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass  may 
be  present,  but  even  this  is  not  common,  since  the  Kentucky  blue¬ 
grass  seed  if  properly  cleaned  will  have  most  of  this  material  removed. 
In  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass,  however,  it  is  quite  common  to  find 
Kentucky  bluegrass  seed,  as  some  of  the  seed  of  the  latter  remains 
in  the  head  sufficiently  long  after  maturity  to  permit  the  harvesting 
of  the  two  together. 

HARVESTING  THE  SEED. 

Harvesting  the  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass  is  a  comparatively  simple 
matter.  Strippers  are  not  employed  to  strip  the  seed  as  in  the  case 
of  Kentucky  bluegrass,  since  the  character  of  the  seed  makes  this 
unnecessary.  The  webby  hairs  at  the  base  of  the  seed  of  Kentucky 
bluegrass,  which  make  harvesting  and  thrashing  by  ordinary  means 
impracticable,  are  absent  from  Canada  bluegrass  seed.  Ibis  allows 
the  latter  to  be  harvested  in  much  the  same  manner  as  timothy, 

orchard  grass,  meadow  fescue,  and  redtop. 

The  grass  is  considered  ready  to  cut  for  seed  when  it  has  readied 
what  is  known  as  the  “golden”  stage,  or  when  the  seed  has  a  deep 


402 


14 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


yellow  color.  This  is  a  few  days  after  it  lias  reached  the  stage  best 
suited  for  hay  and  occurs  ordinarily  from  about  July  10  to  15  in  the 
northern  portion  of  the  United  States.  The  seed  crop  is  handled 
prior  to  thrashing  in  the  same  manner  as  hay.  Since  the  grass  is  a 
little  drier  at  the  time  of  cutting  for  seed  than  at  the  time  of  cutting 
for  hay  it  can  be  put  up  in  shocks  very  soon  after  mowing.  Grass 
cut  in  the  morning  may  be  put  in  shocks  in  the  evening  without 
danger  of  damage  if  the  weather  is  favorable.  It  is  desirable  to  put 
it  in  shocks  as  soon  after  cutting  as  possible  to  prevent  the  seed  from 
shattering,  since  if  left  in  the  swath  to  cure  it  will  shatter  badly. 
Only  a  few  days  are  necessary  for  curing  in  the  shock,  after  which  the 
grass  is  either  stacked  in  ricks  or  barns  or  thrashed  from  the  field. 


Fig.  5. — A  field  showing  a  heavy  volunteer  growth  of  Canada  bluegrass  one  year  after  a  crop  of  v/heat  had 

been  harvested. 


Whether  a  field  of  Canada  bluegrass  is  harvested,  for  seed  depends 
on  the  price  of  hay,  the  price  of  seed,  and  the  yield' which  it  will 
probably  give.  When  hay  is  at  a  high  price  and  seed  only  normal  or 
below,  only  the  fields  that  will  give  heavy  yields  are  harvested  for 
seed.  These  are  usually  new  fields,  as  such  almost  invariably  give 
higher  yields  of  seed  than  those  which  have  been  down  three  or  more 
years.  Fields  that  have  been  allowed  to  lie  four  or  more  years 
ordinarily  do  not  produce  a  sufficient  quantity  of  seed  to  pay  to 
thrash.  An  old  field  may  yield  a  good  crop  of  hay  and  still  may  not 
produce  a  paying  crop  of  seed,  as  the  seed  heads  produced  are  usually 
short  and  not  well  filled.  The  best  fields  of  seed  are  often  those  that 
have  volunteered  on  wheat  stubble  sowed  with  clover  which  failed 
to  catch.  Remarkably  heavy  stands  of  Canada  bluegrass  commonly 

402 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


15 


occur  under  such  conditions  the  year  following  the  removal  of  the 
small-grain  crop.  (See  fig.  5.)  There  are  frequently  considerable 
quantities  of  timothy  and  white  and  alsike  clover  in  fields  which  are 
harvested  for  seed,  but  these  do  not  interfere  with  the  harvesting  or 
the  preparation  of  the  Canada  bluegrass  seed  for  the  market. 


THRASHING  THE  SEED. 

Canada  bluegrass  is  thrashed  by  the  ordinary  thrashing  machine 
either  from  the  shock  in  the  field  shortly  after  harvesting  or  from  the 
stack  or  barn  during  the  fall  or  winter.  No  modification  of  the 
machine  is  necessary  so  far  as  the  cylinder  and  concaves  are  con¬ 
cerned,  but  special  screens  are  needed  to  put  the  seed  in  condition 
where  it  can  be  handled  with  a  cleaning  machine.  No  attempt, 
however,  is  made  to  clean  the  seed  for  market  by  means  of  the 
thrashing  machine. 

Considerable  quantities  of  Canada  bluegrass  seed  are  secured  from 
wheat  at  the  time  of  thrashing,  as  the  grass  volunteers  in  wheat 
fields  and  is  harvested  with  the  wheat.  This  seed  is  saved  by  placing 
a  screen  in  the  bottom  of  the  thrasher  in  such  a  manner  as  to  separate 
it  from  the  chaff  and  coarse  inert  material.  On  account  of  the  grass 
being  bound  into  bundles  with  the  wheat  it  cures  in  ideal  condition, 
and  the  seed  at  the  time  of  thrashing  is  usually  of  excellent  color  and 
quality. 

CLEANING  THE  SEED. 


Seed  as  it  comes  from  the  thrashing  machine  is  usually  reasonably 
free  from  coarse  inert  matter,  but  is  not  in  sufficiently  good  condition 
for  the  market.  No  difficulty,  however,  is  experienced  in  cleaning 
it  with  a  cleaning  mill  of  the  ordinary  type.  There  are  usually  one 
or  more  farmers  or  retail  seed  dealers  in  each  neighborhood  equipped 
to  clean  the  seed  and  act  as  middlemen  between  the  growers  and 
wholesale  dealers. 

With  a  cleaning  machine  of  the  type  known  commonly  as  a  fanning 
mill  and  by  the  use  of  a  one-twelfth-inch  perforated  screen  above 
and  a  one-thirty-sixth-inch  screen  below  and  with  a  small  amount 
of  blast  it  is  possible  to  reduce  the  percentage  of  inert  matter  to  at 
least  5  per  cent  and  that  of  the  foreign  seed,  including  weeds,  to  6  per 
cent.  The  actual  quantity  of  weed  seed  can  be  reduced  to  one-half 
of  1  per  cent  with  very  little  loss  of  good  seed  and  without  requiiing 
much  time.  The  weed  seeds  most  difficult  to  remove  are  cinquefoil 
( Potentilla  monspeliensis  L.),  five-finger  ( Potentitya  canadensis  h.), 
red  sorrel  ( Rumex  acetosella  L.),  false  flax  ( Camelina  microcai pa 
Andrz.),  mayweed  ( Anthemis  cotula  L.),  and  huckhorn  (/ lamufj-' 
lanceolata  L.).  It  does  not  seem  practicable  by  means  of  present 


402 


16 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


methods  and  machinery  to  reduce  the  total  percentage  of  weed  seed 
much  below  one-half  of  1  per  cent.  The  remaining  percentage  of 
foreign  seeds  is  composed  mostly  of  timothy,  alsike  clover,  and 
Kentucky  bluegrass,  the  last  named  often  running  as  high  as  1  per 
cent. 

Some  seedsmen  are  using  mills  especially  constructed  for  cleaning 
the  seed.  These  mills  are  usually  built  in  two  parts,  one  called  the 
rougher  and  the  other  the  cleaner,  or  finisher.  The  rougher  is  used 
to  remove  the  coarse,  inert  matter,  and  the  finisher  to  remove  the 
timothy,  alsike,  white  clover,  and  various  weed  seeds  which  may  be 
present. 

On  this  type  of  machine  no  blast  is  used,  but  the  riddles  are  usually 
more  than  twice  as  long  as  the  ordinary  screen,  thus  giving  a  much 
greater  screening  surface.  By  the  use  of  such  machines  excellent 
work  can  be  done  in  the  way  of  cleaning,  with  probably  less  loss  than 
with  the  fanning  mill.  The  time  required,  however,  in  cleaning  seed 
with  a  machine  of  this  kind  is  much  greater  than  it  is  where  the 
blast  is  used.  Seeds  of  timothy  and  alsike  clover,  which  are  com¬ 
monly  harvested  with  Canada  bluegrass,  are  usually  separated  from  it. 
Special  attention  is  paid  to  separating  the  alsike  clover,  as  it  is  more 
valuable  than  the  grass  seed.  Farmers  or  seedsmen  who  make  a 
practice  of  cleaning  seed  buy  it  from  the  growers  either  on  the  basis 
of  clean  seed  or  at  a  flat  rate.  The  former  practice,  however,  is  more 
common. 

The  yield  of  seed  per  acre  varies  considerably,  and  it  is  extremely 
difficult  to  estimate  the  average.  While  it  is  possible  to  secure 
yields  of  500  pounds  per  acre  if  conditions  are  favorable,  the  average 
yield  does  not  exceed  200  pounds.  It  is  estimated  that  a  ton  of  hay 
upon  which  the  seed  is  normally  abundant  will  yield  about  250 
pounds.  The  recognized  weight  of  seed  per  bushel  is  14  pounds. 
The  actual  weight,  however,  of  good  seed  is  more  than  20  pounds  per 
bushel. 

It  is  evident  that  a  Canada  bluegrass  seed  crop  is  not  very  profit¬ 
able,  since  the  average  gross  returns  hardly  exceed  $10  per  acre. 
Deducting  the  cost  of  handling,  including  thrashing  and  cleaning,  this 
will  not  leave  a  large  profit.  However,  the  seed  usually  sells  readily, 
and  for  this  reason  it  is  grown  by  farmers  even  though  the  profit 
is  small. 

HAY  OF  CANADA  BLUEGRASS  FROM  WHICH  SEED  HAS  BEEN 

THRASHED. 

There  is  much  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the  value  of 
Canada  bluegrass  straw  after  the  seed  has  been  thrashed  out.  Some 
state  that  it  is  even  more  valuable  than  the  hay,  as  it  has  the  chaff 

402 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


17 


removed.  However,  it  is  generally  considered  less  valuable  than  the 
hay,  chiefly  because  it  is  cut  at  the  stage  of  maturity  which  is  a  little 
too  far  in  advance  of  the  best  stage  for  hay.  If  the  straw  is  care¬ 
fully  stacked,  however,  it  makes  a  good  feed  for  both  cattle  and 
horses. 


MANAGEMENT  OF  CANADA  BLUEGRASS  IN  THE  CROPPING 

SYSTEM. 

SEEDING. 

Little  can  be  said  regarding  the  management  of  Canada  bluegrass  in 
the  cropping  system  in  most  sections,  as  it  is  utilized  almost  entirely  for 
grazing  and  consequently  does  not  enter  into  or  influence  the  system 


Fig.  6.— A  field  showing  the  sod  of  Canada  bluegrass  broken  in  such  a  manner  as  to  allow  this  grass  to  become 

troublesome  in  the  crop  which  is  to  follow. 

of  crop  rotation  to  any  great  extent.  In  sections,  however,  where  it  is 
grown  for  hay  or  seed  it  is  a  more  important  factor  m  crop  rotation. 

There  is  comparatively  little  Canada  bluegrass  intentionally 
seeded,  although  there  is  without  doubt  more  being  seeded  now  than 
formerly.  Farmers  who  have  seeded  the  grass  recommend  the  sowing 
of  about  15  pounds  of  seed  to  the  acre  in  the  early  spring  on  wheat, 
for  although  the  grass  volunteers  readily  in  wheat  fields  the  addition 
of  seed  practically  insures  a  perfect  stand  the  first  year  following  the 
wheat  crop.  This  practice  applies  to  sections  where  the  grass  occurs 
commonly.  In  sections  where  it  does  not  grow  naturally  in  abun¬ 
dance,  heavier  seeding  is  recommended. 

402 


18 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


BREAKING  UP  OLD  SOD. 

When  it  becomes  desirable  to  break  up  old  sod  it  can  be  done  most 
satisfactorily  in  the  fall  by  plowing  rather  shallow  and  turning  the 
sod  completely.  This  smothers  the  grass  quite  effectually  and  at  the 
same  time  exposes  the  roots  pretty  thoroughly,  thus  facilitating  de¬ 
composition. 

The  sod  is  not  hard  to  put  in  condition  for  a  cultivated  crop,  and 
corn  is  probably  the  best  crop  to  plant  the  spring  after  breaking  up 
an  old  meadow  or  pasture.  A  common  practice  of  breaking  the  sod 
by  plowing  a  narrow  furrow  and  turning  on  edge  is  thought  by  some 
of  the  best  farmers  to  be  responsible  for  a  great  deal  of  the  difficulty 
experienced  in  keeping  the  grass  in  subjection  on  cultivated  lands. 
When  broken  in  this  manner,  the  grass  appears  in  rows  as  far  apart  as 


Fig.  7.— A  field  of  alfalfa,  showing  how  the  crop  is  crowded  out  by  Canada  bluegrass. 

the  width  of  the  furrow  and  gets  a  good  start  before  the  field  is  har- 
rowed  or  disked,  and  it  is  almost  impossible  to  keep  it  out  of  the  crop 
that  follows.  (See  fig  6.)  Farmers  who  break  the  sod  by  plowing 
a  10-inch  to  14-inch  furrow  and  turning  it  completely  have  very  little 
trouble  with  the  grass  after  breaking,  especially  if  a  disk  harrow  is 
used  immediatelv  after  the  sod  is  broken. 

On  account  of  the  aggressiveness  of  Canada  bluegrass  its  trouble¬ 
some  features  can  not  be  overlooked.  It  is  certainly  a  decided  menace 
in  alfalfa  fields,  as  it  takes  advantage  of  every  opportunity  to  estab¬ 
lish  itself  at  the  expense  of  the  alfalfa.  In  Ontario  large  patches  of 
Canada  bluegrass  are  common  in  fields  of  alfalfa.  (See  fig.  7.)  In 
most  cases  this  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  field  is  poorly  drained  in 
such  areas.  In  places  where  water  stands  on  the  field  or  ice  is  formed 
during  the  winter  so  that  the  alfalfa  is  killed  or  injured,  Canada  blue¬ 
grass  is  always  at  hand  to  establish  itself  on  the  bare  spots.  The 

402 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


19 


filling  in  of  the  vacant  areas  is  an  advantage  rather  than  otherwise 
but  the  crowding  out  of  partially  injured  stands  of  alfalfa  by  the  grass 
is  decidedly  detrimental. 

SUMMARY. 

Canada  bluegrass  has  the  same  general  distribution  as  Kentucky 
bluegrass,  but  is  not  so  abundant.  It  is  of  the  most  importance  in  the 
New  England  States,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  West  Vir¬ 
ginia,  and  in  southern  Ontario  in  Canada.  It  is  also  common  in  parts 
of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  Missouri.  It  is  found  in  the  greatest 
abundance  on  various  types  of  clay  soil. 

It  can  readily  be  distinguished  from  Kentucky  bluegrass  in  a  field 
by  its  dark-blue  color,  short  leaves,  flattened  stem,  and  short,  com¬ 
pact  seed  head. 

Canada  bluegrass  is  of  value  chiefly  as  a  pasture  grass  and  makes 
good  grazing  for  all  kinds  of  farm  stock,  especially  beef  and  dairy 
cattle.  The  quality  of  hay  produced  is  good,  but  the  yield  is  not 
sufficiently  high  to  make  it  of  much  value  for  this  purpose. 

As  a  soil-binding  grass  it  is  of  considerable  value  on  clay  embank¬ 
ments,  since  it  establishes  itself  readily  and  makes  a  tough  sod  that 
resists  erosion. 

Canada  bluegrass  should  be  used  as  a  lawn  grass  only  under  few 
conditions,  as  it  does  not  make  a  turf  of  good  texture.  On  some  clay 
soils  it  can  be  used  to  advantage  either  alone  or  in  mixtures  with 
other  lawn  grasses.  It  can  also  be  used  to  advantage  in  some  sec¬ 
tions  on  golf  links. 

Seed  of  Canada  bluegrass  is  harvested  and  thrashed  in  practically 
the  same  manner  as  timothy,  orchard  grass,  or  red  top,  and  for  this 
reason  it  sells  for  much  lower  prices  than  Kentucky  bluegrass.  On 
account  of  the  close  resemblance  between  seed  of  Canada  bluegrass 
and  Kentucky  bluegrass  and  also  on  account  of  the  cheapness  of  the 
former,  it  is  used  very  extensively  as  an  adulterant  of  the  latter. 
Most  of  the  seed  sold  in  this  country  is  grown  in  lower  Ontario,  large 
quantities  being  imported  each  year. 

Little  difficulty  is  experienced  in  cleaning  the  seed  of  Canada 
bluegrass  for  market.  By  use  of  the  ordinary  fanning  mill  the 
quantity  of  inert  matter  can  be  reduced  to  at  least  5  per  cent  and  the 
weed  seed  to  one-half  of  1  per  cent  with  very  little  loss  of  good  seed. 

The  hay  or  straw  from  which  seed  is  thrashed  makes  a  very  good 
roughage  for  live  stock  if  properly  handled,  but  is  less  valuable  than 
the  hay  before  thrashing. 

Canada  bluegrass  volunteers  readily,  and  chiefly  for  this  n’iison 
there  is  very  little  seed  sown.  Where  seeding  is  practiced,  1  •>  pounds 
402 


20 


CANADA  BLUEGRASS. 


or  more  per  acre  are  recommended  to  be  sown  in  the  early  spring  on 
wheat. 

When  it  becomes  desirable  to  break  up  old  sod  it  can  be  done  to 
best  advantage  by  plowing  in  the  fall  rather  shallow  and  turning  the 
furrow  completely.  This  smothers  the  grass  and  ‘at  the  same  time 
exposes  the  roots  to  the  action  of  the  frost.  Corn  is  probably  the 
best  crop  to  grow  on  sod  land. 


[A  list  giving  the  titles  of  all  Farmers’  Bulletins  available  for  distribution  will  be 
sent  free  upon  application  to  any  Member  of  Congress  or  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture.] 

402 


o 


